Potential residents gathered as early as 12 hours ahead of time for an application to Presby’s new Affordable Housing community opening this fall in Southwest Philadelphia.

Nearly 100 interested residents lined Presby’s Inspired Life’s 58th Street Campus on Tuesday morning to apply for Witherspoon Apartments, Presby’s new affordable housing community that will open on the campus this coming fall.

With the need for affordable housing throughout Philadelphia, this lease-up day at Witherspoon was a critical date on the calendar for most, if not all, the potential residents.

Such was the story for Justin Scott.

Originally from New Castle, Delaware and currently residing in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Scott is in need of somewhere to call home permanently. He was also on hand last week for the lease-up event for Cantrell Place, Presby’s new affordable housing community in South Philadelphia that is also opening in the fall.

“Basically, I have no choice. Different parts of the city are no problem,” Scott said. “I’m an older adult now and I want to be in a location by myself. I want to settle down in one place and for something to happen.”

Witherspoon Apartments lease-up – June 19, 2018

The first people in line for an application were Eric Hayes and his mother, who arrived at 9 p.m. on Monday night and camped out for the 12 hours before the lease-up began.

“The landscape of Witherspoon is just so inviting for my mother, who’s from Southwest Philadelphia,” said Hayes. “It’s accessible and that’s what you want for your mother. We’ve been in Southwest Philadelphia for a long time. We think it’s up-and-coming and the community people are friendly. When you know a neighbor, you’ve got a neighbor. And this was most important – to be able to have some place for my mom to go where she’s familiar with.”

Ernestine is a Southwest Philly local who has previous ties to Presby. Her father once resided in the building that used to stand exactly where Witherspoon is being built.

“I would tell someone that I know that it’s a great place to live. That’s why I’m here today,” she said. “As I get older, I just need to make things a little easier for myself. And it’s time for move into a place like this.”

Witherspoon Apartments construction – June 2018

When completed, Witherspoon Apartments, sponsored by Presby’s Inspired Life, will feature 60 units of new affordable housing for adults 62 and better. It will offer on-site parking, a doctor’s office, a salon and it will be in close proximity to public transportation, shopping centers and other amenities.

It will be the fourth community located within the friendly confines of Presby’s 58th Street Campus. When Witherspoon Apartments officially opens, it will join Ann Thomas Apartments, Greenway Apartments and Mary Field Apartments on a campus that will feature 300 units of affordable housing.

Cantrell Place, located at 5th and Cantrell Streets in South Philly, will offer 61 units of affordable housing for those 62 and better when it opens.

A second lease-up for Witherspoon Apartments will be held on Friday, June 29 at the 58th Street Campus (2000 S. 58th Street in Southwest Philadelphia).

For more information on both Witherspoon Apartments and Cantrell Place, please call 610-260-1124.